Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-10-27
INVESTIGATION AT kOUTS
charge of Judge Field to the
Grand Jury
,,sn And to the Point-Every
Man should Read 1t.

u..,rso. Ind, Oct. 22-The grand
ALs,bi. county is now at work inves-
h the Kouts railroad disaster.
'''Is s,noss TO make a thorough inquiry
r.. e csuse of the wreck, and are as
am nv Mr.. Edward Crumpacker, the
soa.1ting attorney. Quite a number
! 'H,osd men of the Chicago and At
i .. o-' and others have been summoned
/ .D,sar before the jury. The charge
4 haze Fields to the jury is as follows;
rr NJ r,rES OF THE GRAND jury: 1 have
a Won together for the special pur-
4 II making investigation into the
..of the late railroad disaster in this
INV Last week, as you are aware, on
/, chicago and atlanta railroad freight
4. into a passenger train, causing great
1. of human life.
neral information that this occurred
dity miles from Chicago, after the
.snger train had been out nearly five
| n. struggling along a good part OF
4, lime with a crippled engine; with re-
k,7ar telegraph stations over this lance
Il IL to eight miles apart; with perfect
F,,-onbic communication at each of
!. stations; with such safeguards, this
4 igbt train was permitted to crash in
ne passenger train with dreadful
\ .souences, and such general informa-
| has Justly created great public in
E,rs,ion. The feelings of the public,
have no place in this investiga-
l. ofrOurs. Indictments founded on pub
4 canor alone will be fruitless of good
I Mia and in violation of your sworn
H. Wether or not there Is criminal
| Feasibility in this case must there
i be determined by you from the evil
res adduced. If on this investigation
n ind no criminal responsibility at
Eses. the public have yet the right to
ov what the facts are as found by a
kiyof men charged under the law with
I reful and impartial investigation.
kTbe,e lives lost in this collision invoke
.u all in authority courageous dis
sfge Of official duty, and | therefore
=, ruct you TO spare no effort and no ex-
nseto bring before you every witness
ell means of information tending to
Stow light on this question, and by care
thought and impartial judgment de-
fnile whether there is criminal res
fribility on the part of anyone; and if
determine that there is present such
! Indictment to this court for trial. 1t
y be. as | have already said, that when
are in full possession of all the facts
will not be able to bring the case with
] any statutory provision of criminal
p0nsibiiity, for strangely enough,
eeis noticeable want of proper and
ceni legislation in this state controlling
actions of trainmep, agents, and Off
Of railroad companies, and as great
a'k of legislation regulating the heat
and Lighting of cars. We know by
eIyat.on that the failure to enact rig
laws TO regulate these things with Sc
penalties, Ia case of neglect to OBJ
~ them, induces degree OF careless
and neglect which often, and, in
generally result in as great a de-
l'!lon Of life as from any other cause
1lfocd Encouragement. If this is
1d to be so, in this case, it will
be your fault, but the fault of the
Even in this event, do not abate
Or 51orts, and do not regard your la
nnayalling. For although the
rally guilty may escape, in this in
l's' for want of proper laws, your re-
II OF the facts, emphasized as they will
D! The destruction OF 50 many human
Will and materially in characteriz-
o2 present laws as weak and ineffi-
ll a1a wall 40 thoroughly awaken the
1"' Nina to the necessity OF more
Fsltnslve laws, that such experien-
s lals may not III the future occur, or
-'! ao' taatuo guilty man shall es-
o1 account Of the failure of the law
sal'ace his offence.
yea hardly say nc grand jury of
county ever had such weighty res
-a''t''ies' loa are fortunate, in this
ssAcy 10 having for your legal adviser
scouting attorney who ia able, dis
=. ana fear SIS. The law makes him
ssai adviser, and l feel assured that
~ nave completed this investi-
w. .ae .aWWill be satisfied and the
.' VIII know that all has been done
premises that can be done.